SPONSORED
110 Madison St.
Eugene, OR 97402
Flavorful notes of pepper, clove, and honey flow across the palate followed by a lingering finish of classic rye with just the right balance of citrus and spice. That’s the experience of taking a swill of Heritage Distilling Co.’s Elk Rider rye whiskey. The company’s debut came 35 years after co-founder Justin Stiefel distilled his first batch of booze in seventh grade for a science project. Since opening their flagship distillery in Gig Harbor, Washington in 2012, Justin and Jennifer, his co-founder and wife, have launched four more locations and introduced intriguing, high-quality spirits such as an award-winning brown sugar bourbon and vodkas with flavors such as bacon, huckleberry, and sweet ghost pepper. The distilleries, including one in Eugene, Oregon, have tasting rooms fronting beautiful production floors that can be toured every Saturday at 1 and 2 p.m. “People are familiar with visiting wineries and breweries,” says Jennifer, “but distilleries still have an almost Willy Wonka mystique to them.” At the Eugene location, visitors can gaze upon towering copper stills custom-built for Heritage Distilling Co. by engineers in Northern Italy and see the only place where its Commander and Elk Rider rums are made.
“If Portland was a spirit it would be our Elk Rider gin: based on tradition but with a crisp edge and modern citrus finish,” says Jennifer Stiefel.